Tigers expected to go to Atlanta

Clemson should accept an invitation later today to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.

With Oklahoma's 24-17 win over TCU yesterday, Clemson's chances of claiming an at-large berth in the BCS have been reduced drastically.

The Tigers were thought to still be in contention for the Sugar Bowl, but the Sooners are ranked three spots higher in the latest BCS rankings and yesterday's win means they will likely be a more attractive team for Sugar Bowl officials.

Still, Clemson should be in great position to play an elite team this postseason.

Later today, when bowl bids are officially extended, Clemson is expected to accept an invitation from the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.
The bowl game matches the No. 2 team from the ACC with the No. 5 selection from the SEC.

Most bowl projections have Clemson facing off with No. 7 LSU in the New Year's Eve game.

LSU is 10-2 and beat No. 3 South Carolina, No. 18 Texas A&M and No. 21 Mississippi State this year. Its only two losses coming against No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Florida.

Clemson last faced LSU in the 1996 Peach Bowl. The 17th-ranked SEC Tigers beat the ACC Tigers that evening, 10-7.

Even with the disappointment of losing its season finale to South Carolina, the importance of this game cannot be underestimated. A win could easily propel Clemson into the top 10 of next year's preseason rankings. A victory would also give the Tigers 11 wins - the most in school history since the 1981 National Championship season.

Interestingly enough, this will also be the second of three straight games against SEC foes, as Clemson opens the 2013 season at home against Georgia.

Clemson last played in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl after the 2007 season. The Tigers lost to Auburn in that game, in overtime.

Clemson played in the Georgia Dome earlier this year in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic, defeating Auburn, 26-19.